BACKGROUND AND METHODS: This study reviews the existing literature examining chronic pain and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes in hernia repair studies. A PubMed/Medline and Embase search was carried out to identify relevant papers. Studies meeting pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria were included and fully reviewed. Reference lists were scanned for additional studies. Only studies examining chronic (>3 months) post-operative inguinal hernia repair (IHR)-related pain were included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three studies were identified. The majority of studies used the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain measurement and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) for the measurement of HRQL. A reasonably consistent picture emerged from the literature, with the HRQL domains most often affected by pain (social functioning/mental health). Estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain and discomfort following IHR vary widely between studies. This is probably a reflection of the range of methods used for measuring pain, many of which do not have established psychometric properties. Our review suggests that a proportion of patients experience chronic pain and discomfort, which has a significant impact on HRQL. However, the current instruments used in the evaluation of chronic pain after IHR are not comparable and standardisation is required.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: This study reviews the existing literature examining chronic pain and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes in hernia repair studies. A PubMed/Medline and Embase search was carried out to identify relevant papers. Studies meeting pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria were included and fully reviewed. Reference lists were scanned for additional studies. Only studies examining chronic (>3 months) post-operative inguinal hernia repair (IHR)-related pain were included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three studies were identified. The majority of studies used the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain measurement and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) for the measurement of HRQL. A reasonably consistent picture emerged from the literature, with the HRQL domains most often affected by pain (social functioning/mental health). Estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain and discomfort following IHR vary widely between studies. This is probably a reflection of the range of methods used for measuring pain, many of which do not have established psychometric properties. Our review suggests that a proportion of patients experience chronic pain and discomfort, which has a significant impact on HRQL. However, the current instruments used in the evaluation of chronic pain after IHR are not comparable and standardisation is required.
Authors: Amudha S Poobalan; Julie Bruce; W Cairns S Smith; Peter M King; Zygmunt H Krukowski; W Alastair Chambers Journal: Clin J Pain Date: 2003 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 3.442
Authors: Gerwin A Bernhardt; Gerald Gruber; Benjamin S Molderings; Herwig Cerwenka; Mathias Glehr; Christian Giessauf; Peter Kornprat; Andreas Leithner; Hans-Jörg Mischinger Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2013-09-06 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Mette W Christoffersen; Jacob Rosenberg; Lars Nannestad Jorgensen; Peter Bytzer; Thue Bisgaard Journal: World J Surg Date: 2014-07 Impact factor: 3.352